War is Illegal

Against a background of escalating ecological crises, and the fact that large parts of the world´s population are being
exposed to extreme poverty, inhuman working conditions and increasing social tensions, the annual global military
expenditure has risen to more than 1000 billion dollars.

The military-industrial complex of just a few G8 countries is responsible for the overwhelming part of this spending,
causing incalcuable social and ecological consequences.

Unequal distribution of global resources, increasingly controlled by large multinational companies, global debt policy
and unfair international trading practices ultimately could not be maintained without military security. In many
countries the military is used to repress critical opposition.

The terror attacks of September 11, 2001 are increasingly used to justify systematic surveillance and the dismantling of
constitutional rights. Even European countries have helped to establish Guantanamo-like secret prisons, where torture in
all probability takes place.

Iraq was attacked based on falsified evidence causing the death of hundreds of thousands of people, widespread
destruction, destabilization and contamination with cancer-causing depleted uranium munitions.

Now plans to attack Iran and the possibility of a new World War have been made public, meeting resistance even from
moderate elements within the military due to the unforeseeable consequences.

Faced with the choice between a war, that according to some western leaders, will last for many years or a possible
peaceful transformation we support the following demands:

1) (Impeachment proceedings against US President Bush and US Vice President Cheney before the 2008 election, a demand
raised in solidarity with large parts of the US public and some members of US Congress.) Furthermore prosecution by the
International Court of Justice of G. W. Bush, R. Cheney and other officials from various countries for waging wars of
aggression contrary to international law and committing crimes against humanity.

2) International investigation of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. They are used as the central justification for
the "War on Terror", but well documented evidence shows that the official explanation of 9/11 cannot be correct.
International personalities in science, politics, and culture, including high-ranking military veterans, have called for
a new investigation.

3) Immediate military withdrawal from Afghanistan and Iraq, and no attack against Iran. International prohibition of war
as a means of conflict resolution. Military intervention and export of weapons should be criminalized.

In a civilized society torture must be prohibited in any form.

4) Conversion of military industries to civilian purposes and the development of ecological and sustainable energy
resources. According to the UN environmental agency, a fraction of the annual global defence expenditure could ensure
that all humans have access to clean water and a basic supply of food and healthcare.

This statement is based on a commitment to non-violence and tolerance of all ethnic groups and religions. Two
devastating World Wars and historical catastrophes like the Nazi Holocaust must always remind us of the worst
consequences of nationalism, racism and incitement to war.

Sign this statement, pass it on, whatever we can do. It is up to us.

(After US-President Barack Obama took office in January the demand for impeachment in #1 has been

placed in parentheses. The text of the declaration remains unchanged.)

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